Carefully Reasoned Debate, Democrat Style
For once, I’m on Bill Clinton’s side in an argument - From MSNBC:
CANTON, OH — Robert Holeman came to Timken High School here today with a message to deliver to Bill Clinton. He did — and he said the former president wasn’t happy about it.
Clinton spoke to a capacity crowd in this Northeast Ohio town, the third of five events today in the Buckeye State. He told voters that the contest was “the power of speeches against the promise of solutions by a world-class change maker.”
Throughout the event, as Clinton made his case for his wife, Holeman’s dissenting voice could be heard. At times he simply shouted Obama’s name. When Clinton would set up a sure applause line, Holeman could be heard heckling. As soon as Clinton finished speaking, the Canton native made a beeline to the ropeline to give Clinton a piece of his mind.
“I asked the president to please stop the bickering between the campaigns,” Holeman said in an interview afterwards. “All this name calling is like the bully in the yard. He can’t get his way, he can’t get nothing done.” Holeman said he thought Clinton was “gasping for air.”
“This is the last hurrah. After March 4, Hillary Clinton will be out of the race for good, and Obama will take the commanding lead,” he said. “She should back him with her delegates immediately. That’s what I’m asking them to do.”
Holeman said that Clinton responded by saying Obama came after him first. Holeman also described Clinton’s reaction to him as “irate.”
“I think he even hit me in the face with his hand,” he said. “He did give me a little pop. It was okay, because I understand his tenacity for his wife.” Clinton did engage Holeman for a few minutes, at times pointing directly at him. It was unclear whether he did make physical contact, however.
Holeman said he did support Bill Clinton during his campaigns, but that now the country wants a “new perspective.” “I think the president’s trying hoodwink us, bamboozle us, put us back in the okie doke,” he said. “He had eight years to do what he was supposed to do. All the things he said that she’s gonna do, he had the same authority that he wants her to have. Now if one Clinton, the male Clinton can’t get it done, how is Ms. Clinton [going to].”
Several Clinton supporters who saw the exchange came up to Holeman after to — shall we say delicately — express their disapproval for his actions. More negativity, Holeman said. “Hillary Clinton has started the most negative campaign I have ever seen, other than what the Republicans can launch,” he said. “I think we need to come together on those issues.”
There is a level of obtuseness in this not frequently reached by members of the human species.
Holeman wants the bickering to stop - so, he goes to a Clinton rally and bickers with the speaker.
Holeman is convinced that Obama will all but wrap it up on March 4th - even though, mathematically, there’s no way for Obama to do that.
Holeman says he “thinks” President Clinton might have struck his face - I don’t know about you, but when someone strikes me in the face, I’m pretty sure if it happened or not.
Holeman supported Clinton in the past - but is now worried that Clinton might be trying to bamboozle him.
Holeman’s logic - if male Clinton couldn’t do it, then female Clinton can’t do it.
Holeman says that only GOPers can be worse than Hillary Clinton.
Holeman says that Obama and this nearly-GOP-level-nasty Hillary should come together.
Where have we seen this level of discourse from Democrats? Every dratted day, right here on Blogs for Victory. Trust me, boys and girls, I now entirely sympathise with Bill Clinton and wish him the best - and he has my prayers that he’ll be able to remain patient with such people.
20 comments February 18th, 2008
